Janet Reed, (born Sept. 15, 1916, Tolo, Ore.—died Feb. 28, 2000, Seattle, Wash.) American dancer who , was noted not only for her technique but also for her charm, vivacity, and flair for comedy, all of which were especially well showcased in the ballets Fancy Free and Interplay. During her performing career, from the late 1930s through the ’50s, she danced with such companies as the San Francisco Ballet, Ballet Theatre (now American Ballet Theatre), and New York City Ballet, as well as on Broadway; she later served as NYCB’s ballet mistress, and in 1974 she aided in the founding of Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet, which she served as artistic director for the following two years.

EXPLORE these related biographies:

American motion-picture actor who emerged as one of the most popular Hollywood stars in the 1970s and went on to become a prolific and respected director-producer. Early life and career Growing up during the Great Depression, Eastwood moved from town to town with his family, spending little more than a few months in each of the many schools he attended....

American motion-picture director who specialized in action-packed films with tightly constructed narratives. He frequently worked with actor Clint Eastwood, and their collaborations include the classics Coogan’s Bluff (1968) and Dirty Harry (1971). Early work Siegel studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, and at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art....

American pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader. One of the originators of big-band jazz, Ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in all of Western music. Ellington grew up in a secure middle-class family in Washington, D.C. His family...